AMLWCH ROSE

Protected Area

Great Orme

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - AMLWCH ROSE offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 42m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Amlwch Rose isn't just another lump of metal on the seabed, it’s a proper dive for wreck enthusiasts. She lies upright, and while the stern is pretty broken up, the bow section is still remarkably intact. That's our favourite part, feeling the shape of her, imagining her journey before she went down. We usually drop onto the midships, then head towards the bow first. You’ll see the anchor chains snaking out, and the forecastle offers some great swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. Keep an eye out for conger eels poking their heads from pipes and plates; they're everywhere here, big ones too. The visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical North Sea stuff, but when it’s good, the light penetrating the internal spaces of the bow is something else. It really brings the wreck to life. This is a dive for experienced cold-water wreck divers, comfortable with depths down to 42 metres and potentially strong currents. Bring a good torch, you'll want to peer into every nook and cranny.

Typical AMLWCH ROSE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 42m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3517:3010h 55m daylightGolden hour 16:43

AMLWCH ROSE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1940

Vessel Type

steamship

Cause

mine

Tonnage

545 GRT

Built in the Netherlands in 1931, the SS AMLWCH ROSE was a British steam coaster that spent its career ferrying goods around the coasts of the United Kingdom. Like so many other merchant vessels, it was pressed into dangerous service during the Second World War, maintaining vital supply lines under constant threat from enemy action. Its service came to a sudden and violent end on October 27, 1940, while transporting a cargo of coal. The ship struck a mine laid by a German E-boat and sank quickly, becoming another casualty of the war at sea.

Today, the AMLWCH ROSE rests in 42 meters of water off the Northumberland coast, placing it firmly in the realm of technical diving. The wreck is a somber and fascinating window into history, largely intact and sitting upright on the seabed. Divers who make the descent are rewarded with a well-preserved steamship, its cargo holds, winches, and superstructure still clearly identifiable. The cold, nutrient-rich waters of the North Sea support a dense covering of marine life, with plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and large cod making the wreck their home.